Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
Comments
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Ha! I think we all should have been drinking Pepsi's! Maybe they lessen the SE's????
Seriously, I think most women have a similar pattern to each tx. In other words, if your "worst" days were 3, 4 & 5 the first time, you can expect a similar pattern for future tx's. But the severity of the SE's and the severity of the fatigue or exhaustion or whatever you choose to call it seems to vary from tx to tx.
As far as the hair loss, many of us had it start around Days 14 to 17 with a few falling strands, and then it takes 3 or 4 days for it to really start to come out.
But it sounds like you're doing great! Deanna
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Deanna and Kim ~
Ahem! I am totally frustrated as #2 has been COMPLETELY different from #1. I sure hope I am the exception that proves the rule!
Kim, keep on doing great and do not worry your SE's are absent for the most part! Just be happy!
I agree about the Pepsi. I have a new SE today, heartburn, and am taking a Zantac now. But I was burping up a painful storm earlier, and a Coke cleared it up totally.
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Threegirlsmom,
I have had three of my four treatments so far and all have been remarkably similar. I too have had very few side effects. I lost about 1/3 of my hair 17 days after Treatment 1 and have lost a little more each time. (Maybe half is gone now?) I've had a little constipation, a little metal mouth, a little fatigue, and bone pain after neulasta 2-3 days after treatment ... Nothing that has caused me to alter my routine. I have only missed work for the treatments themselves. My oncolgist assures me that the minimal SEs don't mean the treatment is not effective.
I was so worried about chemo and looked for every excuse in the world to avoid it. I'm not bragging (and certainly haven't done anything to deserve an easy go). I'm counting my lucky stars that this has not been harder. I think it is important to let "TC newbies" know that they may or may not experience harsh SE's with this treatment.
On the otherhand, my reconstruction has been a pain! I developed a leaky expander 4 weeks after surgery and had to have a replacement. It's always something!
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Annie, my SEs were different for each treatment so far also. And, they lasted longer the 2nd time. So, you are not alone.
The thing that was similar was when I started feeling crappy.
I go for the 3rd treatment Monday and have no idea what to expect.
I hope those who are having few side effects continue that way.
Chris
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Chris, Kim & Sam!
Good morning! Good news for me is my SE's are better today. A little heartburn ...
I am hoping that Kim has the exact same experience of practically no SE's all thru!!!
I did start feeling crappy one day earlier this time.
Chris, I think what you said "no idea what to expect" is probably the smartest way to think about it, ulp.
How is everybody else? Looking each day for your sweet faces (or tshirts) on avatars. You are my comfort during this time. I love you all!
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Good morning.
I have managed to come up with yet another side effect. My scalp itches, a lot.
Then, last night in bed my hands started itching, and to a lesser degree, my feet. Heartburn is also back.
I see my GP today about my high blood sugars. Maybe he can shed some light on the itching? Any ideas?
I hate being crabby during my "good week".
Chris
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Hi Ladies -
I've been MIA for a while but have been doing my best to keep up with reading all your posts!
I had treatment 3 of 4 on 10/15 and I have to say that for me every treatment has had some similarities, but also some major differences. With this last treatment I have noticed that the fatigue is worse. Also, I have had more nausea and some stomach cramping that I didn't have with the first two treatments. With the first two treatments I had the periods(?) from heXX and I'm still not sure what's going on in that department.
On the subject of nutrition and complementary medicine. My Onc suggested that I might want to lay off some of the supplements I was taking because they may compete with the chemo for the bonding sites on cells. So I haven't been taking anything other than a multi-vitamin for now. Do you all find that there is so much to consider with supplements? Which ones to take/not to take etc. It seems there are so many different views on the nutritional aspects. I always thought I had a decent diet before bc, but now it seems as though I have to rethink all of it. What do you all think about the bottled water subject? It's pretty scary to think a some distributors are bottling water from contaminated sources.....my gosh, it's overwhelming to think we have to so seriously scrutinize everything we put into our mouths.
Wink - thanks for taking over the schedule. Ginger Ale and lower fat Cape Cod potato chips are two of my favorites also!!
Sandra - thank you for all your work keeping track of us. I wish you health and happiness in your future travels.
Annie - your comment about the yew trees and mustard gas cracked me up!!
Thanks to all for your support -
Sherrie
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Hello everyone! just popping in to say Hi and to let you know I had my first Rad yesterday. I was soo nervous on that table, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. I guess when ever I try something new I get pretty anxious. I wish I can take something like 15 min before I am seen to calm down, does anyone have any suggestions? Annie you are funny, I like your attitude! Keep up the good spirits. I hope everyone does better with there next treatments.
God bless us all!
Stay encouraged,
Audrey
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Here is an article that opened my eyes! I have been having major chemo brain the last couple of days, felt like I'm going crazy. But it's very real. Here's a discussion between docs about it -
http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/planning/ask_expert/2008_10/#q1
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Thanks to all for your words of support and encouragement. I have really been blessed...hey, samiam...I too looked for ANY excuse not to go through this..I also felt bad because I really HAVEN"T felt all that bad...let's KEEP IT UP SISTER!
AMANN...I am going to ask for little heart tattoos instead of x's for my radiation...how do you think THAT will go over? :P
One final word before I go....I think a little Pepsi would go a LONG way in this situation...everybody tip their cup!
We CAN do this...right?
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Yes, you CAN do this!
I've been keeping up with this thread ever since I finished my 4 rounds of Taxotere & Cytoxan in June '08. I have to tell you, these past 2 pages of posts are very good and very encouraging.
I had done quite a bit of reading about Adriamycin (AC) versus Taxotere (TC) even before my 1st onco insisted on AC. I found the same papers y'all have been talking about, and I was ready to consider TC rather than AC. So, when onco #2 agreed with me, I went for TC (and fired my first onco). Now, I feel even better about asking for TC, since your research and your onco consults are saying the same thing.
It sounds like y'all have the SE's figured out. My individual SE's were slightly different with each round, but the timing was about the same. Indigestion/gastric reflux was a biggie during round #1. There are some powerful antacid drugs available OTC now, like Prilosec (omeprazole). It works just like Protonix and Nexium. You just have to take it at a higher dose and for a longer time than the OTC label recommends. Ask your onco about it. OTOH, a prescription for Protonix might turn out to be less expensive, if your insurance will cover it.
About the hair: it will come out (my onco said I would lose all my hair on TC, and I did), but it will grow back. Mine is coming back very slowly, which might be due to the low-low-low estrogen levels I have from Arimidex. Here's a pic at 19-1/2 wks post-chemo, to encourage you:
Hugs...
otter
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Wow, Otter! Your hair looks so healthy! Is is the same color and texture as pre-chemo? Now that you're 4+ months post-TC (if my math is right w/the chemo brain Annie mentioned).... do you have any lingering SE's? Also, did you do anything special to clean out and rebuild your system? I'm at that point now... just 2 weeks post last tx, and starting to wonder what I could be doing (besides healthy eating, exercise, etc.) to hasten rebuilding my body from what it's been through. Deanna
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Wow Otter, Your hair looks good. I can't wait til mine gets there. It's been about 5 weeks since my last chemo and I am starting to feel a little fuzz
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Audrey, fuzz is good. That's how mine started growing back, at about the same time as yours. It was thin, lightweight, colorless fuzz, which gradually darkened and thickened into real hair.
Deanna, no, my "normal" (pre-chemo) hair color was red-brown (medium brown with red highlights). This post-chemo color could best be described as "house mouse." It's a dark silvery gray, with a hint of brown. The photo shows it a bit lighter than it really is. Rock (on the May 2008 thread) says hers looks like charcoal, which is pretty much the same thing.
I have no lingering SE's. I did have some mild neuropathy during round #4 that continued for a couple of months post-chemo. My big toe on my left foot got tingly and numb; and post-chemo it suddenly became sore, as if I was continually stubbing the toenail on something. That's finally gone and all is well. My fingernails never darkened or fell off, but they did develop deep ridges (Beau's lines)--one for each chemo tx. Those lines are slowly growing out. I have 2 Beau's lines left; following behind them is normal, smooth fingernail.
There really is nothing else (besides my new hairstyle) that hints at those 12 weeks of misery we call "chemo". I do like the "yew tree & mustard gas" analogy.
otter
[Edited to add: No, I'm not doing anything to clean out my body. It manages that pretty well by itself. Except for tossing in some good food, calcium citrate tablets, Vitamin D supplements, and a couple of prescription drugs that combat my genetic tendency toward heart disease, I like to leave well enough alone.]
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Hello ladies
So far I'm feeling good on my 3rd day after 3tx. A little gas but I have been popping gas x tablets. Not as fatigue as before even though iron did drop after last cycle. No metallic taste. Only been eating soups and salads and fruits so far. My nails have darkened near the base but that is about it. So far I have never exp any nausea or vomiting and my onc said all my treatments may go that way for me. One more and I'm done. Im already have fuzz growing back I just let it stay and will see after treatment. Thank you all for being such an inspiration in my life.
Otter your hair looks great. I heard that the texture comes back curly and sometimes gray. That should be interesting.
Take care all Love u0 -
Hello ladies
So far I'm feeling good on my 3rd day after 3tx. A little gas but I have been popping gas x tablets. Not as fatigue as before even though iron did drop after last cycle. No metallic taste. Only been eating soups and salads and fruits so far. My nails have darkened near the base but that is about it. So far I have never exp any nausea or vomiting and my onc said all my treatments may go that way for me. One more and I'm done. Im already have fuzz growing back I just let it stay and will see after treatment. Thank you all for being such an inspiration in my life.
Otter your hair looks great. I heard that the texture comes back curly and sometimes gray. That should be interesting.
Take care all Love u0 -
Good Afternoon Ladies,
Today is day 4 after tx#2 and I am feeling a bit fatigued. My hair continues to fall out, though it is short hairs now, but still annoying! Had the Neulasta shot on Tuesday and seem to be tolerating it alot better than first time. (keeping my fingers crossedxxxx) Going to a Look Good Feel Better class this evening so that should be fun I hear.
God bless all,
Eileen
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Does the hair continue to fall out with each treatment?
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Otter,
Thanks for the picture. It provides perspective and something to hope for. At 8 weeks past my last treatment, I just look like a fuzzy tennis ball, or someone with five o'clock shadow of the scalp, but the color that's coming in looks a lot like yours: darker than I remember and maybe a little more grey. I can live with that. I'd be happy if it was pure white as long as it was hair!
The only other thing of note right now is that my blood pressure has started creeping back up to it's normal (for me) high level, and I decided to start taking my Lisinopril again. While I was on chemo, my BP dropped so low, that if I took the BP medication I would practically faint, so I stopped. My Onco said many people experience this temporary lowering. So I've been monitoring it closely and was beginning to think that the chemo might have cured me of hypertension, but, alas, such is not the case. Femara may be playing a role too. I'm not sure.
Regards.
Sandra
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Hello All,
Hope everyone is having minimal side effects. I just returned home from treatment 5 of 6! One more to go. Sure hope I continue with minimal side effects. Otter! Love the hair!! I can't wait for mine to come back!!!! My side effects have been like a couple others have mentioned , metal mouth, fatigue, constipation to diarrhea, nothing I can't live with. I have never had to have a neulasta shot, which I am thakful for! Got good news from the radiation Doctor, He will make sure my radiation is done by 12/31 so I don't have to meet my $3,500 deductible again. YEAH! My last treatment is 11/13 and since I'm not on Adriamycin he said he could start radiation on the 17th. I will get 25 treatments then 5 boosts. I will have to drive an hour one way for the regular treatments and one and a half hours one way for the boosts.
Everyone take care and keep praying for all our sisters, old and new! What a great bunch of gals!
I may end up with a boil on my butt!! Ha, Ha!
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Sandra, that's very interesting about your blood pressure. I had never heard that before. I also take Lisinopril for my blood pressure and have continued taking it through treatments. My blood pressure is still a little high and in fact just today my GP increased my dosage because it was so high at my exam this morning. I thought maybe it was high because they left me in the 110 degree (seemed that way, anyway) waiting room for 45 minutes.
Had to have blood work done today and they used my arm. The tech said the infusion center was the only place that draws blood from the port. I thought that was a pity.
Chris
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Chris,
I don't know how frequently the lowered BP thing happens, but my Onco (his PA actually) acted like it was a fairly common scenario. I'm wondering if it's associated in some way with all the extra water I was being force fed? Normally I'm the world's worst when it comes to adequate hydration--I'm just never thirsty and have to remind myself to drink, and then it's just a few sips. I just can't seem to glug down a whole cup of water. Maybe all that water kept the saline flushed out of my system or something. Anyway, whatever. It was quite a dramatic change. Without medication my BP will get up to 190/110. With chemo and no medication it hovered around 115/70.
I did lose about 7 lbs with chemo. It might have had something to do with that but it started before the pounds came off..
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Hi all,
Haven't posted in a while but have been keeping up with your postings and finding it very helpful. My tx #3 is 10/30. Been feeling really good for the past week and thoroughly enjoying it. Re: BP, mine also has been very low since starting chemo. I usually run pretty normal. It was so low a couple of times that they had to take it multiple times to make sure they were reading it right. Other than the time that I was really sick after tx1, and eventually hospitalized, the doctors haven't been concerned about it being low.
Your postings about heartburn have been so helpful. Had it pretty bad after tx2, and other than eating crakers non stop, I didn't take any meds. If it is as bad after tx3 I'll know better.
I can't remember, sorry, who posted about being so fatigued while RBCs were low that she was tired after walking up the stairs. I experienced a couple of days like that after my last treatment. A friend of mine who was a nurse explained that while you are anemic, your body is working much harder to supply oxygen to your tissues which is why you feel tired and short of breath. I was so encouraged a few days later when I had energy to go for a fast walk and knew my blood cells must have been kicking in!
Anyone experience constant dry mouth? Once the metal taste left this time, I have a dry mouth sensation all the time. The good news is that it keeps me drinking water, but that only helps very temporarily. Believe me, of all SE's this one is just annoying, not a big deal. I was just curious since it might be a SE of a med I'm on for headaches.
Best wishes to all.
Diane
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Well, I don't know why the chemo has not had that effect on me. I am still taking my blood pressure medication and yesterday at the doctor's office it was 184/86. He increased my dosage and told me to monitor it.
I occasionally have the dry mouth, seems to be usually when I'm out and about. Biotene (of the mouthwash and toothpaste that many of us use) makes a spray for dry mouth that usually clears it up for me. I think I got it at Target. Or, you could try sucking on hard candies.
Chris
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Hi all,
I had TC #3 on Monday. So far the SEs are following similar pattern as before...day #1 and 2 felt pretty good, day #3 and 4 fatigued and nauseous but bearable. I have a question for all of you. Along with the dry mouth, metal taste and furry tongue feeling do any of you feel like you smell the chemo drugs around you the first few days after chemo? I can't get this funky smell out of my head although my family says they don't smell anything. I feel like it is emanating from every pore of my body. Can't stand the smell of my refrigerator either.
Otter-You're hair looks great!!!! I can only hope that mine looks that good 19 weeks post-chemo.
Have a great weekend ladies!!! L
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Lili46 - I noticed that some smells are much more pronounced and for the first 3-4 days after treatment and I feel like I've taken a layer of chemicals off my skin after taking a shower. All the more reason for drinking as many fluids as possible. Also, I think a couple people mentioned that they could smell the chemicals in their urine. I didn't with treatments 1 & 2, but for 3 I definitely did. How attractive, we're smelly bloodhounds......
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Hi everyone!
Sherrie, you're funny! I hate that smelly urine, and I'm so glad when it's gone on day 3 or 4, then I know the bulk of the chemo is out of me.
Diane, I use Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash and they seem to work great. No tenderness, no dryness, so I think they are well worth the expense.
Eileen, how was the Look Good Feel Better class? I want to go to one, too - I heard they give you lots of high quality free stuff.
Deanna, congrats on finishing chemo a couple weeks ago. That's a great milestone to reach. And Otter's hair looks great!
Wink, thanks for managing our roster. My next tx - #3 of 4 - is November 13.
I had tx 2 Thursday, so far so good. I was really tired last night, but worked the full day yesterday and came home and slept. Up early this morning and feeling pretty good, so far. Trying to catch up on the posts - this past week has been so busy at work, haven't had a minute to check in!
Take care everyone, love and prayers,
Teena
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I just wanted to wish everyone a great weekend! I hope everyone is feeling okay
! Good luck to all who have treatments this up-coming week! Love, Elizabeth 0 -
Thanks Elizabeth, I hope you and everyone else has a great weekend also!
Audrey
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HI Everyone:
I was away for most of this week and saw a Chinese Herbalist in NY. I am due for my next chemo treatment on Wednesday but I'm not sure I am ready for it. I have been getting twitching in my calves and forefinger, and I noticed that I was short of breath walking across the airport with wheeling my small suitcase and carrying a medium bag. I was feeling my heart through my chest for the first 11 days or so especially when lying down. I no longer feel that but it seems as though my heart is beating fast with any exertion and it just doesn't feel the same. I had an EKG done and the rhythm was normal but it showed an axis deviation that they said was "probably normal for age" however it didn't show up in my last EKG before chemo started. I'm almost afraid to continue. Can I get any thoughts on this? I appreciate your help. Thanks!
Katie
Bilateral mastectomy 7/08
Dx: 6/24/08, IDC, 1.1 cm, Stage 1, Grade 3, 0/1 node, ER+/PR-, HER2-
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